Red Ink: Thomson/Melendez

Having a lightweight rematch scheduled for Strikeforce Saturday is
really no guarantee of anything: since meeting in September of
2008, Josh Thomson
and Gilbert
Melendez have made and broken arrangements to fight on at least
two separate occasions. The idea that one could take a bad fall
near a saturated-fat spill at the concession stand should not be
overlooked.

If they do wind up fighting, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in
which Melendez has a whole lot of answers for Thomson, who shut him
right down in their first five rounder. In Melendez’ favor is the
display of error correction he put on against Mitsuhiro
Ishida in August: the takedown opportunities that Ishida found
in their 2007 fight were absent. Improved defense and Thomson’s
year-plus layoff work in his favor.

The winner will probably be pitted against B.J. Penn in
fantasy circles. Until promoters lose the proprietary selfishness,
that’s where it’ll have to stay.

Might Look Like: Thomson/Melendez 1.
(You expected something else?)

Wild Card: Thomson’s left fibula, which
has been a recurring problem in 2009. It’s apparently holding up to
stress in the gym, but sparring partners aren’t motivated by
revenge or money.

Who Wins: Melendez impressed with his
exorcism of the Ishida defeat, but Thomson is a 155er who could
comfortably fight at 170. It’s a tall order. Thomson by decision.